Perception is Nine-Tenths of the Law

I know. I know. The saying goes, “Possession is nine-tenths of the law.” I like the perception version, though, when it comes to the customer experience.

According to Wikipedia, “possession is nine-tenths of the law” means: in the absence of clear and compelling testimony or documentation to the contrary, the person in actual, custodial possession of the property is presumed to be the rightful owner.

Then I think “perception is nine-tenths of the law” means: in the absence of clear and compelling testimony or documentation to the contrary, the person in actual, custodial possession of the belief or perception is presumed to be the rightful owner; it is his reality.

What, then, is a perception? According to Oxford Dictionaries: perception is “a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression.”

There’s perception, and then there’s reality. Are they two different things? Not necessarily. (Note I didn’t flat out say, “No.”) My perception IS my reality.

So, if the customer’s perception is his reality, is it your reality, too?

Your perception may be different. But is that OK?

If there are opposing perceptions, then clearly your reality is out of alignment with your customer’s. Why? Read on.

How are those perceptions formed? Through expectations (brand promise, marketing, word of mouth), many of which you set, and performance (actual interactions with the brand), which is on you.

Does the company have perceptions about how it’s performing for the customer? Sure. Are they accurate? Probably not – not without the customer’s perceptions! Especially not when we have statistics like this:

80% of big companies described themselves as delivering “superior” service, but only 8% of customers say they’ve experienced “superior” service from these companies. -The New Yorker

So what’s my point? Just that – your company may think that it’s delivering a great customer experience, but instead, the customer’s perception is opposite, and it prevails. Why? Because he’s the customer. Because without the customer, you have no business.

To confirm the discrepancy between perceptions (or in realities), we need to listen to customers through various channels.

In the customer experience, the customer’s perception is not only their reality but also yours. And if we’re going to change perceptions, then we need to change reality.

How do we do that? By turning customer listening into insights into action. Acting on the voice of the customer means taking customer perception, understanding it as his reality, and either accepting it or improving it. If I were you, I’d focus on the latter. Perception is nine-tenths…

There are limitations, for sure. Is the customer always right? No. But he is the customer, and you must always do right by him.

All things are subject to interpretation. Whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth. -Friedrich Nietzsche

Your intentions don’t matter. Perception is reality. If people perceive you the wrong way, it doesn’t matter what your intentions are. -Unknown

Annette,I read you posted and it made me think about a saying I learned once that said: 'True communication is the response you get'.

We can think we communicate well and that we are perceived well but, in actual fact, it's the responses that we get from the world outside of ourselves that tell us the real truth and how accurate we are.

I think that saying is along the same lines as "perception is reality." Communication is a great analogy – what you say and what I hear can be two totally different things. What matters in the end is what I hear. That is my reality. If I don't hear it correctly, then you've not said it properly.

Thanks for sharing that, Jeff. Interesting stat. And yet, it's their reality, right. It seems to highlight the emotional aspect, the feeling part. "I waited in line 5 minutes but it felt like 10 or 15."

Annette,It depends on who/what you wait for and the perceived value of him/her/it.If one waits for his lover,even 1 hour looks 10 minutes.If one waits for a junior associate or ( for wife at shopping malls), 10 minutes look 1 hr.